Public Holidays in France – 2017

The main difference between British/American and French public holidays is that while most of the British/American holidays are pushed around each year to fall on a Friday or Monday, most French holidays are on fixed dates.

Public holidays are usually taken on the day on which they fall. However, if a public holiday is on a Sunday, the Monday afterwards will often be considered a work-free day, instead so it’s worth checking if you’re making a special trip.

When a holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, a large percentage of the working French take the extra day off work to have a long weekend. This is referred to in French as faire le pont (literally ‘make the bridge’ from the week day to the weekend).

Be warned however – holidays in France are adhered to strictly, which means you may find it difficult to find a supermarket, pharmacy or baker open on such a day.

French public holidays:

2017
Jan 1	New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An)	Sunday
Apr 17	Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)	Monday
May 1	Labour Day (Fête du Travail)	Monday
May 8	VE Day (Fête de la Libération)	Monday
May 25	Ascension Day (Ascension)	Thursday
June 5	Pentecost (Pentecôte)	Monday
Jul 14	Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)	Friday
Aug 15	Assumption (Assomption)	Tuesday
Nov 1	All Saint’s Day (Toussaint)	Wednesday
Nov 11	Armistice Day (Fête de l’Armistice)	Saturday
Dec 25	Christmas Day (Noël)	Monday